Portable telescoping gymnasium seat units



Oct. 22, 1963 R. .1. MURPHY 3,107,399

PORTABLE TELESCOPING GYMNASIUM SEAT UNITS Filed Dec. 19, 1958 r Y 7Sheets-Sheet l 2 l 20 l2 l3 l 19 I4 I 2] "I 22 B I8 F I /20 I l7 i I F13 n t ll l l w I 7 4 65 II 6 [I 3 6 l P 7 3 I 67 s la] 3 g I I 3| PICAl 65 51 a I I 77 I23 2234 B INVENTOR.

RAYMOND .1. MURPHY Oct. 22, 1963 R. J. MURPHY PORTABLE TELESCOPINGGYMNASIUM SEAT UNITS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, l958 mm 09 N020? mm 0 1.0 c0 INVENTOR.

RAYMOND J. MURPHY ATTY.

Oct. 22, 1963 R. J. MURPHY PORTABLE TELESCOPYING GYMNASIUM SEAT UNITS '7Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 19, 1958 vw mm hm E. ow w 9 ATT'Y.

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. J. MURPHY 4* L0 JNVENTOR.

n on 3 mm EB PORTABLE TELESCOPING GYMNASIUM SEAT UNITS Oct. 22, 1963Filed Dec. 19, 1958 mo GL5 RAYMO ND J. MURPHY -59 Q ow R ATT 'Y.

1963 R. J. MURPHY 3,107,399

PORTABLE TELESCOPING GYMNASIUM SEAT UNITS Filed Dec. 19, 1958 7Sheets-Sheet 5 F P a m @g,

INVENTOR.

RAYMOND J. MURPHY ATTY.

Oct, 22, 1963 R. J. MURPHY v PORTABLE TELESCOPING GYMNASIUM SEAT UNITSFiled Dec. 19, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 IIIIIIIIIIA United States Patent3,1ti7,399 Pill- TABLE TELESCOPING GYMNASIUM SEAT UNITS Raymond J.Murphy, Affton, Mo., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Medart Lockers,Inc., a corporation Filed Dec. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 781,759 8 Claims. (Cl.20-1126) This invention relates in general to certain new and usefulimprovements in gymnasium equipment and, more particularly, to aportable telescoping gym seat unit.

It has become a common practice in school gymnasiums and similarauditoriums to install so-called wall-type telescoping bleachers orseating structures. These seating structures ordinarily consist of aplurality of steel frames which nest one within the other and carry seatboards and foot boards in suitably spaced relation to provide a tier ofbleacher-like seats. The rear frame is ordinarily bolted to thegymnasium Wall while the remaining tiers are shiftable inwardly andoutwardly relative to the rear frame when the seating structure isshifted to and from open and closed position. However, because of spacerequirements or other architectural conditions within the gymnasium orauditorium, it is not always possible to install the wall-type seatingstructures with the result that in order to accommodate spectatorswithin the gymnasium, it is necessary to employ portable or movableseating structures, which can be moved from a storage area to aspectator area and set up when needed. Furthermore, even where thewall-type seating structures are installed along one or more walls ofthe gymnasium or auditorium, it sometimes happens that the wall-typeseating structures do not provide adequate accommodations for the numberof spectators anticipated at a particular event. In such situations,portable or movable seating structures are often employed for purposesof providing the necessary additional seating space.

These portable seating structures must, of course, be made quite strongin order to support the total weight of the number of persons who willbe seated thereon and also to withstand the live loads resulting frommovement of the persons. As a result, these portable seating structuresare frequently constructed with a steel underfrarning and are,therefore, quite heavy. Consequently, it is customary to utilize varioustypes of lift trucks for purposes of transporting the portable seatingstructures from the storage area to the spectator area and vice-versa.Since a plurality of these portable seating structures are usually setup in the spectator area in side-by-si-de relationship, it is necessaryto carefully maneuver the lift truck into position under the seatingstructure, transport the seating structure to the spectator area, andthereafter maneuver the seating structure into its proper position onthe gymnasium floor. Aside from the fact that this procedure is ratherlaborious and time-consuming, it usually requires that the institutionpurchase and maintain a lift truck and provide a trained workman foroperating the lift truck.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide aportable telescoping gym seat which can be conveniently and compactlystored remote from the spectator area, but at the same time can bequickly and easily maneuvered to the spectator area and set up withoutthe use of lift trucks, dollies, or similar auxiliary moving devices.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a seatingstructure-of the type stated which is integrally provided with ahydraulic lifting mechanism which permits the seating structures to beelevated onto casters and moved to or from a storage area in a rapid andefiicient manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portablegym seat of the type stated in which the hydraulic mechanism is free offluid lines, thereby reducing the possibility of leakage of hydraulicfluid onto the gymnasium floor and also assuring relatively trouble-freeoperation of the mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable gymseat of the type stated which, in its opened position, affords acompletely integrated rigid structure which is firmly supported on thefloor so that the seating structure is capable of supporting a largenumber of spectators.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide aportable gym seat of the type stated wherein the seating structurecannot be accidentally elevated onto all of said casters when theseating structure is in the opened or extended position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aportable gym seat of the type stated which is positively locked when inthe collapsed or closed position so as to prevent accidental openingthereof as the seating structure is transported from place to place.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portablegym seat'of the type stated in which one or more of the riser or fasciaboards is hintgedly mounted in position to extend across the spacebetween two adjacent seat boards when the seating structure is in theclosed position so as to prevent a basketball, volley ball, or the like,from becoming lodged within the seating structure.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in thenovel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination ofparts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (seven sheets) HG. 1 is a perspective viewof a portable gym seat constructed in accordance with and embodying thepres ent invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-4 Olf -FIG. 1 and showingthe gym seat in the opened or extended position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but on asomewhat smaller scale, and showing the front fascia or kickboard andmechanism associated therewith which forms part of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

(FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of a portablegym seat constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 and showing the gym seatin the opened position; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower end of the seatingstructure and showing the front kickboard and associated mechanism inthe unlocked position.

Referring now in more detail andby reference characters to the drawings,which illustratae practical embodiments of the present invention, Adesignates a portable telescoping seating structure or bleacher whichincludes a rear frame 1 consisting of a suitable plurality oftransversely spaced oblong rectangular panels 2, each, in turn,including a pair of spaced parallel vertical posts 3, 4, formedpreferably of angle section and being cross-connected at their upperends by means of a connecting plate 5. Spaced a short distance upwardlyfrom their lower ends, the posts 3, 4, are cross-connected by a formedchannel plate 6 which is welded or otherwise rigidly attached thereto.Bolted or otherwise rigidly secured upon the rearwardly presented flangeof the back post 4 in a region of the channel plate 6 is a U-shapedtransversely extending tie channel 7 which serves as a cross-connectingmember between the several panels 2. The posts 3 are likewisecross-connected by an angle member 8.

Mounted upon the upper end of and extending horizontally between thepanels 2 is a seat board 9, and swingably mounted at the forward edge ofthe seat board 9 by means of a plurality of hinges 10 is a riser orfascia board 11. Secured to each of the panels 2 in downwardly spacedrelation to the seat board 9 is a forwardly extending horizontal beam 12for slidable track-forming engagement within a slide fitting 13 whichis, in turn, rigidly welded to the upper end of another panel section14, the latter including spaced parallel vertical posts 15, 16, whichare similar to the posts 3, 4, previously described. Welded to andextending upwardly from the forward end of the beam 12 is aseat-mounting member 17 for supporting a seat board 18 and fascia board19, and also rigidly secured to the beam 12 below and between the seatboards 9, 18, is a foot board 20. Thus, when the seating structure A isin the opened position, a spectator may be seated upon the seat board 9and rest his feet upon the foot board 26 directly below, the proportionsof these members being such as to form a comfortable seat for theaverage adult. It will, of course, be understood that the seatdimensions may be made smaller if the seating structure A is designedfor use in elementary or primary schools where small children will bethe spectators.

Rigidly mounted on and extending horizontally between the panel sections14 and 14 is a horizontal beam 21 for slidable track-forming engagementwith a slide fitting 22, the beam 21 and the slide fitting 22 beingsimilar to the beam 12 and the slide fitting 13 previously described.Rigidly mounted on the beam 12 are depending ears 23 for rockablysupporting bell cranks 24, the upper ends of which are pivotally securedto one end of links 25, and the other ends of the links 25 are pivotallysecured to brackets 26, which are secured to depend from the undersideof the fascia board 11. Bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the anglemember 8a are brackets 27 for journalling rollers 28 which are adaptedto bear against lat eral flanges 29 formed on the lower ends of the bellcranks 24. As will be seen by reference to FIG. 8 when the seatingstructure A is in the closed position, the rollers 28 will swing thelower ends of the bell cranks 24 rearwardly causing the upper endsthereof and links 25 to rock forwardly, so as to swing the hinged fasciaboard 11 upwardly and substantially span the distance between the seatboards 9, 18.

Each of the panels 14 corresponds to one of the panels 2 and there are,of course, a similar plurality of such panels 14, each beingcross-connected by tie channels 7 and angle members 8a. At their lowerends the panels 2 are provided with floor-contacting foot frames 30 andwelded or otherwise rigidly secured to the lower ends of the panels 14are underframe carriages 31, each including a plurality of spring-biasedrollers 32. The underframe carriages 31, are, furthermore, preferably ofthe same type as that disclosed in the application of George R.Chervenka, Serial No. 346,870, filed April 6, 1953, now United StatesPatent No. 2,870,492, dated January 27, 1959, and include interlockingguide flanges 33, 34, so as to insure straight line relative movementbetween the several roller carriages 31, when the seating structure A isshifted to and from open and closed position. The seating structure Aalso includes intermediate panels 14 which are similar to the panels 2previously described, and the intermediate panels 14' are prevented fromrelative movement along the adjacent rearward beam 21 by means of stopplates 1. Hingedly mounted to the seat board 18 associated with thepanels 14 is a riser board 11 which is swingable by means of links 25and bell cranks 24, the latter being actuated by means of rollers 28,all similar to the corresponding elements previously described.Furthermore, the roller carriages 31 at the lower ends of the panels 14are welded or otherwise rigidly connected to the adjacent rearwardroller carriages 31 by means of connecting plates p.

As is best seen by reference to FIG. 2, the bleacher A consists of aplurality of tiers T each having upright frames which include laterallyaligned panels 14, 14', all supported on underframe carriages 31 andlaterally connected by tie channels 7 and angle members 8a. When in theclosed position, one group of panels 14 will be in alignment with thepanels 2, while another group of panels will be aligned with the panels14 but in forwardly spaced parallel relationship to the panels 2, 14. Itwill be apparent that each tier T may include any number of laterallyspaced panels depending upon the length of the seating structure and,similarly, any number of tiers T may be present, depending upon thenumber of seats desired and height to which the structure is carried. Ithas been found that it is possible to fabricate portable gym seats ofthe present type with as many as fifteen tiers rising to an over-allheight of approximately thirteen and onehalf feet.

The forwa-rdmost section or unit of the seating structure A is providedwith a horizontal L-channel 35 which extendst transversely across and iswelded to the several aligned panels 14 of the lowermost section ortier. The channel 35 is welded to a horizontal beam 36, formedpreferably of an L-shaped angle section and rigidly provided at its endwith vertical legs 37, 38. Disposed horizontally between the legs 37,38, is a downwardly turned U-shaped channel member 39 which is notchedout at its opposite ends for slidable engagement with the inwardlyturned flanges of the legs 37, 38, so as to be shiftably disposedtherebetween for upward and downward vertical movement. The channelmember 39 is also provided with rollers 40 which are journalled uponshafts 41, and rockably mounted upon each of the shafts 41 and extending'angularly upwardly therefrom are parallel links 42 which are providedadjacent their upper ends with roller shaft 43, the latter being adaptedto bear against the downwardly presented edge of the beam 36. The links42 are connected at their upper ends for parallel movement by means of ahorizontal connecting link 44, which is provided on its rearwardlypresented end with a roller 43. The forwardmost link 42 is, furthermore,provided with a laterally projecting pin 46 for sliding engagement in aslot 47 on an actuating link 48 which is, in turn, rockably pinned atits forward end to a bracket 49. The bracket 49 is bolted to the insideface of the front fascia board 50 secured at its upper end to a seatboard 51 by means of hinges 52. Mounted on the inside face of the fasciaboard 50 adjacent the lower edge thereof, are tongues 53 for releasablyengaging spring clips 54 which are mounted on and project outwardly fromthe leg 37.

Mounted on and projecting laterally outwardly from the leg 38 is a pin55 for rockably supporting a sleeve 56 whichis welded to one end of alock arm 57, the rearwardly presented end of which is bent downwardly inthe provision of a flange 58. Welded to the lock arm 57 intermediate itsends is a channel bracket 59 for receiving one end of a tension spring60, the other end of which is secured to an anchor pin 61 mounted on theforwardmost panel 14. Rigidly mounted on the foot frames 30 are channelbrackets 62, and bolted to the channel brackets 62 and extendingtransversely of the foot frames 30 is a cross beam 63. Welded to thecross beam 63 and extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom areU-shaped stop members 64 against which the flanges 58 hear when theseating structure A is in the closed position. Furthermore, when theseating structure is in the closed position,

the roller 45 bears downwardly against the lock arm 57 against the forceof the spring 60, so as to hold the flanges 58 behind the stop members64. The fascia board 50 is suitably provided at spaced intervals alongits length with hand holes 65 and slots s for purposes presently morefully appearing.

Bolted to the rearwardly presented flanges of the posts 4 upwardly ofthe foot frames 30 are U-shaped brackets 66, and welded to the brackets66 and extending transversely of the posts 4 is a rear beam 67 having apair of caster plates 68 rigidly secured thereto. Rigidly mounted on thecaster plates 68 are vertical caster sleeves 69, 70, the caster sleeves70 being somewhat longer than the caster sleeves 69, and supported attheir upper ends by short plates 71 welded to the beam 67. Shiftablymounted within the caster sleeves 69, 70, are caster rods 72, 73, thelower ends of which are rigidly connected to swivel plates 74 internallyprovided with bearings (not shown). Rotatably mounted on the swivelplates 74 are floor-contacting casters 75. Rigidly mounted on the panels14 are U-shaped brackets 76, and welded to the brackets 76 is anintermediate beam 77 which is similar to the beam 67, previouslydescribed. Mounted on the beam 77 are caster plates 78 which supportcaster sleeves 7 9, 80, all similar to the corresponding elementspreviouslydescribed, and, similarly, the caster sleeves 79, 80, areprovided with caster rods 81, 82, the lower ends of which support swivelplates 83 which, in turn, rotatably support casters 84. Similarly, aforward beam 85 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the beams 36and extends transvsersely therebetween for rigidly supporting a pair ofcaster plates 86, the latter supporting caster sleeves 87, 88. Thecaster sleeves 87, 88, are, furthermore, provided with caster rods 89,90, which are similar to the previously described caster rods and areprovided at their lower ends with swivel plates 91 for rotatablysupporting casters 92.

Rigidly mounted on the forward face of the beam is an angle bracket 93provided with a lateral extension 94, and projecting through the lateralextension 94 is a pin 95 for rockably supporting one end of a hydraulicjack 96 provided with an outwardly extending piston rod 97 and a pump 98including a socket 99 for releasably receiving a jack handle 100. Also,provided on the jack 96 is a release valve 101. Since the internalconstruction of the jack is conventional, it is not shown or describedin detail herein. On its outer end the piston rod 97 is pivotallyconnected to the upper end of a crank 102, the lower end of which isrigidly mounted on a shaft 103 having sections 103a, 103b, 103c.Intermediate its ends the crank 102 is pivotally connected to a crosslink 104, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the upper endof a crank 105, which is, in turn, rigidly connected at its lower end toa shaft 106 having sections 1060, 106b, 1060. As best seen by referenceto FIG. 5, the shafts 103, 106, are located in spaced parallel relationand extend lengthwise of the seating'structure A. The shafts 103, 106,are, furthermore, rotatably mounted in bearings 107, 108, respectively,which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the caster plates 68,78, 86. Preferably, the shafts 103, 106, are also supported in bearings109, 110, which are welded to a cross member 111 which is, in turn,rigidly connected to the beams 36 by means of L-shaped channel plates112. Mounted on the shafts 103, 106, are clutches 113, 114, 115, 116,each of which includes a socket-forming driving memher 117 and aforwardly projecting U-shaped driven member 118. Rigidly clamped to theshafts 103, 106, adjacent the casters 75, 84, 92 are actuating arms 119,120, which are adapted to bear against the upper side of the swivelplates 74, S3, 91.

Bolted to the beams 67, 77, 85, and projecting downwardly therefrom areU-shaped lift hangers 121, 122, 123, which are disposed in underlyingrelation to flanges 124, 125, mounted on and projecting forwardly andrearwardly of the foot frames 30 and roller carriages 31. The lifthangers 121, 122, 123, are normally out of contact with the flanges 124,125, when the foot frames 30 and rollers 32 are in position on the floorf and the casters 75, 84, 92, are in the retracted or elevated position,as shown in FIG. 2.

In operation and use of the seating structure A, if the seatingstructure A is in the opened position, as shown in FIG. 2, and it isdesired to close same, the front fascia board 50 is manually graspedthrough the hand holes 65 and swung upwardly to the position shown inFIG. 7, thereby swinging the link 48 outwardly. As the link 48approaches its outmost length of movement, the pin 46 will be engaged inthe rear end of the slot 47 and the links 42 will be swung forwardly sothat the rollers 40 will be shifted downwardly into engagement with thefloor. Movement of the front fascia board 50 to the position shown inFIG. 7 operates to lift the entire forward panel 14 of the seatingstructure A upwardly, whereupon the entire structure may be pushedinwardly to fully telescoped or collapsed position and engage theseveral clutches 113, 114, 115, 116, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. When theseating structure is in such fully collapsed position, the front fasciaboard 50 may be swung downwardly to its vertical position retracting therollers 50 so that the legs 37, 38, are resting directly on the floor fand the entire seating structure A will thereby be rendered immobile. Asthe front fascia board is swung downwardly to its vertical position, therollers will press the lock arm 57 downwardly in opposition to the faceof the spring 60 and cause the flange 5 8 to be pulled downwardly behindthe stop members 64. Consequently, unless the front fascia board 50 isswung upwardly, the seating structure A will be prevented fromoperating. Furthermore, as the seating structure closes, the rollers 28,20', will operate the bell cranks, 24, 24, and swing the fascia boards11, 11' from their vertical positions shown in FIG. 2 to the angularpositions shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.

When it is desired to move the seating structure A either to a place ofstorage or to another area within the auditorium or gymnasium, the jackhandle is inserted through one of the slots s in the front fascia board50 and the jack 96 is operated to move the piston rod 97 to the right,referencebeing made to FIG. 3. This causes the crank 102 to rock theshaft 103, and since the clutches 113, 114, are in engaged position, theactuating arms 119 will simultaneously press downwardly against theswivel plates 74, 83, 91. Furthermore, since the link 104 operates thecrank 105, the shaft 106 will rotate simultaneously with the shaft 103,causing the actuating arms 120 to bear downwardly against the swivelplates 74, 83, 91, associated therewith. The seating structure A willthen be lifted upwardly and the lift hangers 121, 122, 123, will engagethe flanges 124, 125, and lift the roller carriages 31 and foot frames30 off of the floor leaving the entire seating structure entirelysupported on the casters 75, 84, 92. Thereafter, the seating structure Amay be readily rolled about to a storage area or any other desired placewithin the gymnasium. Since the flanges 58 are held behind the stopmembers 64 the seating structure A is prevented from accidentallybecoming opened as it is moved about on the casters 75, 84, 92.

In order to lower the seating structure A back onto the floor, therelease valve 101 is operated whereupon the seating structure A, byreason of its own weight, will drop gently onto the floor f. The frontfascia board 50 is then swung upwardly and outwardly to release theflange 58 from contact with the stop members 64, whereupon the entireseating structure may be telescoped outwardly to the extended positionshown in FIG. 3. As the seating structure A is extended, the rollers 28,28', will be pulled away from the bell cranks 24, 24', allowing theriser boards. 11, 11', to swing downwardly to the vertical position. Theclutches 113, 114, 115, 116, will then be in the disengaged position andthe several shaft sections 103a, 103b, 103e, 106a, 106b, 106e, will beseparated. If, while the seating structure A is in the opened orextended position, the jack 96 is accidentally operated the movement ofthe piston rod 97 will elevate only the front of the seating structure Asince only the two front actuating arms 119, 120, will rotate and pressdown upon the swivel plates associated therewith. The remainingactuating arms 119, 120, will not move since the several clutches 113,114, 115, 116, are in the disengaged position, with the result thataccidental operation of the jack 96 when the seating structure is in theopened position will not completely elevate the seating structure butwill allow the foot frames 31) and most of the rollers 32 to remain incontact with the floor.

It is also possible to provide a modified form of por-table telescopinggym seat B, as shown in FIGS. 9-11, which is similar in construction andoperation to the seating structure A, previously described, and in whichthe same reference numerals designate corresponding parts. This form ofthe invention is used when the number of tiers of rows is somewhat lessthan the number of tiers in the seating structure A. Thus, the bleacherB consists of a plurality of tiers T, each having upright frames whichinclude laterally aligned panels 14, all supported on underfrarnecarriages 31 and laterally connected by tie channels 7 and angle members8a. When in the closed position, the panels 14 will be in alignment withthe panels 2 and all of the roller carriages 31 will also be in lateralalignment. Consequently, the depth of the seating structure B in theclosed posiiton is considerably less than in the seating structure A.

The shafts 103, 106, each include sections 103a, 1030, 106a, 106a, andthe center shaft sections 103b, 166b, are eliminated. The shafts 103,106, are each provided with a clutch 126 which is similar to each of theclutches previously described and includes a socket-forming drivingmember 127 and a U-shaped driven member 128. Also mounted on each of theshafts 103, 106, are actuator arms 129, 130, which are adapted to bearagainst the swivel plates 131, 132, on the two pairs of front and rearcasters 133, 134. The intermediate beam 77 and center pair of casters 84shown in the seating structure A are also eliminated in the seatingstructure B. Furthermore, since all of the roller carriages 31 are inlateral alignment when the seating structure B is in the closedposition, only two sets of lift hangers 135, 136, are required, each setof lift hangers 135, 136, being mounted on the rear and front beams 137,138. Also mounted on the rear beam 137 is a lock bracket 139. Moreover,the cross beam 63 is eliminated in the seating structure B together withthe stop members 64, and the flanged end 140 of the lock arm 141 isadapted to hook behind the lock bracket 139 when the seating structureis in the closed position and the front fascia board 141 is in itslowered or vertical position.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form,construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of theportable telescoping gym seat unit may be made and substituted for thoseherein shown and described without departing from the nature andprinciple of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A telescopic bleacher comprising a plurality of frames respectivelysized for internested relation one within the other when the seatingstructure is fully telescoped, releasable means for locking the framesin the fully telescoped position, means connecting said frames forrelative shifting movement from such fully telescoped position into anextended position in which the several frames are positioned insuccessively rearwardly spaced relation to each other, floor-contactingmeans mounted on the lower ends of said several frames, a plurality ofvertically shiftable casters depending from the frames and being mountedon the frames for movement therewith, shaft means operatively mounted onand extending between a plurality of frames in parallelism with the lineof movement of the frames as they shift from fully telescoped positionto extended position, said shaft means including a plurality ofseparable sections respectively provided with interconnecting elementswhich are interengaged when the frames are in fully telescoped positionand are disengaged when the frames are in extended position, actuatingmembers mounted on said shaft means and contacting said casters, linkmeans operatively connecting said shaft means, and a hydraulic jackmeans having an actuating element operatively connected to the linkmeans for transmitting motion to the link means and thereby beingadapted to rock said shaft means when the frames are in fully telescopedposition whereby to cause said actuating members to apply downwardpressure to said casters and lift the frames and floor-contacting meansupwardly from the floor.

2. A telescopic bleacher comprising a plurality of frames respectivelysized for internested relation one within the other when the seatingstructure is fully tele scoped, means connecting said frames forrelative shifting movement from such fully telescoped position intoextended position in which the several frames are positioned insuccessively rearwardly spaced relation to each other, floor-contactingmeans mounted on the lower ends of said several frames, a plurality ofvertically shiftable casters depending from said frames, shaft meansoperatively mounted on and extending between a plurality of frames inparallelism with the line of movement of the frames as they shift fromfully telescoped position to extended position, clutch means on saidshaft sections respectively, said clutch means being interengaged whenthe frames are in fully telescoped position and being disengaged whenthe frames are in the extended position, actuating members mounted onsaid shaft and contacting said casters, and jack means having anactuating element operatively connected to the shaft means for operatingsaid shaft means when the frames are telescoped whereby to cause saidactuating members to apply downward pressure to said casters and to liftthe frames and floor-contacting means upwardly from the floor.

3. A telescopic bleacher comprising a plurality of frames respectivelysized for internested relation one within the other when the seatingstructure is fully telescoped, means connecting said frames for relativeshifting movement from such fully telescoped position into extendedposition in which the several frames are positioned in successivelyrearwardly spaced relation to each other, floor-contacting means mountedon the lower ends of said several frames, a plurality of verticallyshiftable casters depending from said frames, said casters being mountedon the frames for movement therewith, shaft means operatively mounted onand extending between a plurality of the frames in parallelism with theline of movement of the frames as they shift from fully telescopedposition to extended position, clutch means on said shaft sectionsrespectively, said clutch means being engaged when the frames are infully telescoped position and being disengaged when the frames are inthe extended position, actuating members mounted on said shafts andcontacting said casters, a crank mounted on each of the shaft means,link means connecting each of said cranks, and a hydraulic jack meanshaving an actuating element operatively connected to the cranks wherebyto transmit motion to the frames for rocking said shaft means when theframes are telescoped and thereby cause the actuating members to applydownward pressure to said casters and lift the frames andfloor-contacting means up- Wardly from the floor.

4. A telescopic bleacher comprising a plurality of upstanding frameseach including a forwardly extending seat-supporting member, said framesbeing sized for internested relation one within the other when theseating structure is fully telescoped, a fascia board hingedly mountedadjacent the forwardmost seat-supporting member, stop means rigidlyconnected to one of said frames rearwardly of said forwardmost frame,releasable locking means movably mounted upon another of the frames andadapted for engagement with said stop means when the seating sturctureis fully telescoped, said locking means consisting of a lock arm andhaving a hooked flange at its rear end and a sleeve at its front end,and a pin rigidly connected to one of said frames for rocleableengagement with said sleeve, said hooked flange being adapted fordownward shiftable movement for releasably engaging said stop means whenthe seating structure is shifted into telescoped position, and meansoperatively connecting the locking means with the fascia board so thatthe locking means will move from locked to unlocked engagement with thestop means responsive to movement by the fascia board.

5. A telescopic bleacher comprising a plurality of upstanding frameseach including a forwardly extending seat-supporting member, said framesbeing sized for internested relation one within the other when theseating structure is fully telescoped, a fascia board hingedly mountedadjacent the front end of the forwardmost seatsupporting member andbeing operatively connected to a rearwardly extending link, a stopmember rigidly connected to one of said frames rearwardly of saidforwardmost frame, a pin rigidly connected to one of said framesrearwardly of said forwardmost frame, and a lock arm rockably mounted onthe pin, and having a hooked flange on one end in proximate relation tothe stop member, said hooked end being operatively connected to the linkso as to be rocked into locking position behind said stop member by saidlink when the seating structure is fully telescoped and the fascia boardis in a vertical position thereby locking said frame members in suchfully telescoped position, said fascia board being swingable upwardly torelease said lock arm whereby the seating structure can be shifted intoextended position.

6. A telescopic bleacher comprising a plurality of upstanding frameseach including a forwardly extending seat-supporting member, said framesbeing sized for internested relation one within the other when theseating structure is fully telescoped, a fascia board hingedly mountedadjacent the front end of the forwardmost seatsupporting member andbeing operatively connected to a rearwardly extending link, a stopmember rigidly connected to one of said frames rearwardly of saidforwardmost frame, a pin rigidly connected to one of said framesrearwardly of said forwardmost frame, and a lock arm rockably mounted onthe pin and having a hooked flange on one end proximate to the stopmember so as to be engageable with the stop member, said lock arm beingoperatively connected to the link so as to be rocked downwardly intolocking position behind said stop member by said link when the seatingstructure is fully telescoped and the fascia board is in a verticalposition thereby locking said frame members in such fully telescopedposition, said fascia board being swingable upwardly to release suchlock arm whereby the seating structure can be shifted into extendedposition.

7. A telescopic bleacher comprising a first upstanding frame, a fasciaboard hingedly mounted on the upper end of said first frame and lying ina vertical position when said seating structure is in extendedposit-ion, a second frame shiftable with respect to said first frame andsized for internested relation therewith when the seating structure isfully telescoped, actuating means operatively mounted on the first frameand connected to the fascia board for swinging said fascia board to anangular position with respect to said first frame and means on thesecond frame in alignment with a portion of the actuating means forengaging and moving said actuating means when the second frame isshifted to telescoped position within the first frame whereby to swingthe fascia board into said angular position.

8. A telescopic bleacher comprising a first upstanding frame, a fasciaboard hingedly mounted on the upper end of said first frame and lying ina vertical position when said seating structure is in extended position,linkage means rockably mounted on said first frame and pivotallyconnected to said fascia board for swinging said fascia board upwardlyinto an angular position, a second frame shiftable with respect to saidfirst frame and sized for internested relation therewith when theseating structure is fully telescoped, and means on said second frame inalignment with a portion of said linkage means for engaging andactuating said linkage means and thereby swinging said fascia board tosaid angular position with respect to said first frame when the secondframe is shifted to telescoped position within the first frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS826,794 Mack July 24, 1906 2,183,057 Albach Dec. 12, 1939 2,681,202Germond June 15, 1954 2,815,541 Lappin Dec. 10, 1957 2,870,492 ChervenkaIan. 27, 1959 2,877,507 Walworth Mar. 17, 1 959

1. A TELESCOPE BLEACHER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FRAMES RESPECTIVELYSIZED FOR INTERNESTED RELATION ONE WITHIN THE OTHER WHEN THE SEATINGSTRUCTURE IS FULLY TELESCOPED, RELEASABLE MEANS FOR LOCKING THE FRAMESIN THE FULLY TELESCOPED POSITION, MEANS CONNECTING SAID FRAMES FORRELATIVE SHIFTING MOVEMENT FROM SUCH FULLY TELESCOPED POSITION INTO ANEXTENDED POSITION IN WHICH THE SEVERAL FRAMES ARE POSITIONED INSUCCESSIVELY REARWARDLY SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHER, FLOOR-CONTACTINGMEANS MOUNTED ON THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID SEVERAL FRAMES, A PLURALITY OFVERTICALLY SHIFTABLE CASTERS DEPENDING FROM THE FRAMES AND BEING MOUNTEDON THE FRAMES FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH, SHAFT MEANS OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ONAND EXTENDING BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF FRAMES IN PARALLELISM WITH THE LINEOF MOVEMENT OF THE FRAMES AS THEY SHIFT FROM FULLY TELESCOPED POSITIONTO EXTEND POSITION, SAID SHAFT MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SEPARABVLESECTIONS RESPECTIVELY PROVIDED WITH INTERCONNECTING ELEMENTS WHICH AREINTERENGAGED WHEN THE FRAMES ARE IN FULLY TELESCOPED POSITION AND AREDISENGAGED WHEN THE FRAMES ARE IN EXTENDED POSITION, ACTUATING MEMBERSMOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT MEANS AND CONTACTING SAID CASTERS, LINK MEANSOPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID SHAFT MEANS, AND A HYDRAULIC JACK MEANSHAVING AN ACTUATING ELEMENT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE LINK MEANS FORTRANSMITTING MOTION TO THE LINK MEANS AND THEREBY BEING ADAPTED TO ROCKSAID SHAFT MEANS WHEN THE FRAMES ARE IN FULLY TELESCOPED POSITIONWHEREBY TO CAUSE SAID ACTUATING MEMBERS TO APPLY DOWNWARD PRESSURE TOSAID CASTERS AND LIFT THE FRAMES AND FLOOR-CONTACTING MEANS UPWARDLYFROM THE FLOOR.
 4. A TELESCOPIC BLEACHER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFUPSTANDING FRAMES EACH INCLUDING A FORWARDLY EXTENDING SEAT-SUPPORTINGMEMBER, SAID FRAMES BEING SIZED FOR INTERNESTED RELATION ONE WITHIN THEOTHER WHEN THE SEATING STRUCTURE IS FULLY TELESCOPED, A FASCIA BOARDHINGEDLY MOUNTED ADJACENT THE FORWARDMOST SEAT-SUPPORTING MEMBER, STOPMEANS RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID FRAMES REARWARDLY OF SAIDFORWARDMOST FRAME, RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED UPON ANOTHEROF THE FRAMES AND ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STOP MEANS WHEN THESEATING STRUCTURE IS FULLY TELESCOPED, SAID LOCKING MEANS CONSISTING OFA LOCK ARM AND HAVING A HOOKED FLANGE AT ITS REAR END AND A SLEEVE ATITS FRONT END, AND A PIN RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID FRAMES FORROCKABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SLEEVE, SAID HOOKED FLANGE BEING ADAPTEDFOR DOWNWARD SHIFTABLE MOVEMENT FOR RELEASABLY ENGAGING SAID STOP MEANSWHEN THE SEATING STRUCTURE IS SHIFTED INTO TELESCOPED POSITION, ANDMEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE LOCKING MEANS WITH THE FASCIA BOARD SOTHAT THE LOCKING MEANS WILL MOVE FROM LOCKED TO UNLOCKED ENGAGEMENT WITHTHE STOP MEANS RESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENT BY THE FASCIA BOARD.